CSSM Exam Prep: Interview with Brandon Bennett
CCI partners with Whitman Partners to offer free CSSM Exam Prep Course
Whether you have registered for the Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM) exam or are thinking about it, preparation is crucial to earning your credential. CCI offers an interactive six-week course that will assist you in preparing for the CSSM with focused attention from CCI’s perioperative experts. Whether you have registered for the Certified Surgical Services Manager (CSSM) exam or are thinking about it, preparation is crucial to earning your credential. CCI offers an interactive six-week course that will assist you in preparing for the CSSM with focused attention from CCI’s perioperative experts in a virtual classroom setting.
We at Whitman Partners are enthusiastic about the potential of this credentialing program to enhance knowledge of perioperative management and recognize the outstanding work and skills of Directors of Surgical Services. That potential is so clear to us that we have partnered with CCI to make it possible for every Director of Surgical Services associated with Whitman Partners to take the CSSM test prep course for no charge whatsoever—a gift to those in the profession we value so highly.
This course includes:
• Six-week virtual course covering all seven subject areas of the CSSM exam
• 12 hours of instruction classes, interactive activities, and Q&A with CCI’s experts
• In-class practice tests with in-depth review of answers and explanations
• Testing strategies, tips, and test-day advice from CCI, the creator of the CSSM exam
• 12 contact hours upon completion of the course
• Personalized attention in a smaller group setting
We talked with Brandon Bennett, DNP, RN, CNS, CNOR, CNS-CP, CSSM, NE-BC, an instructor of CCI’s virtual CSSM Exam Prep Course, about how the course works and what to expect.
Whitman Partners: Tell us about the prep course.
Brandon Bennett: The course is scheduled as a six-week program presented in two-hour blocks once a week. CCI structured it so as to make it eligible for 12 hours of CE credit. We build content around the seven subject area modules and then we offer a contemporary hour, which is the wrap-up session on the sixth week. We collect questions from the participants throughout the course and then I build the content review module material as necessary.
WP: How is the material presented? Are you doing an evaluation after each subject area?
BB: There are seven domains or subject areas identified in the job analysis and used as the basis for developing the test. We have organized our teaching around these seven subject areas. We have found that adding contemporary topics provides a balance to materials. We devote a full three hours to financial management and another three hours to operations management. So out of the 12 hours, those are the two that get the most time. The lessons are also sequenced. First, there’s an intro to the content. And then we teach knowledge statements and progress deep into the content. Usually, three times during the content presentation, I post questions for more discussion. And then we wrap up with a summary on each of the domains before we move on to the next.
WP: Would you recommend the class even for people who are already further along in their surgical services management career?
BB: Definitely. I teach the program based on content that has been derived from the job analysis. Although it is important to understand the competency assessment and test methods, the focus for the teaching is on imparting knowledge by which individuals can identify opportunities for learning. This method is based on the concept of teaching core curriculum and helps lifelong learners remain focused on professional development. While other teaching approaches may align with a competency exam, our teaching is primarily on knowledge content.I think it is one of few programs available that is intended to help people understand where they are in the development of their skills in surgical services management. We built content and continue to update information using the job analysis. The information that was available when the modules were written is continuously reviewed to ensure we offer current content. We believe the information is tied closely to the perioperative leader and the knowledge expectations required of their role.
WP: What should people expect to take away from the class?
BB: I think the primary outcome of the course is it demonstrates to people whether they have the leadership and management skills necessary to do their job. It also helps them identify areas where they would possibly seek more training and development. In the end, it’s about helping them feel confident they are prepared both to perform well on the CSSM exam and be an effective manager.
2017 CSSM PREP COURSE SCHEDULE
Classes occur weekly on Tuesdays at 5 PM CST, running six weeks consecutively. The remaining session options for 2017 are as follows:
• April 18–May 23
• July 11–August 15
• October 10–November 14
Carisa Brewster
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